16th December 2014 ? the date we wish we could erase from the calendar
 

The cold and dark nights of the winter are back as December unfolds. Every year the haunting memories of the massacre of the innocents return, leaving us all in a state of depression. The tragedy unfurls each year and the wounds reopen bursting with pain that has etched in all our hearts forever.16th December 2014 was just a normal morning for all until the events unfolded and the barbaric oppression showed its true face. The callous terrorists burst in, opened fire and conducted a brutal attack at the Army Public School, Peshawar. Their motive was simple and horrific, to kill as many pupils as they could. In the battle of hate and extremism, innocent children were targeted. The heart-breaking images are still a flashing memory where the mind and the heart were unable to accept the reality which was right in front of us. The horrendous loud screams from the school’s auditorium, the emergency trauma, the heart wrenching images from Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, families running to and fro just to know if their loved ones are alive or not, all these are still as fresh in memory and will never fade away. The continuously rising death toll, the number of casualties, breaking news flashing on our television sets, the stories of courage of those who survived it and shared their accounts of what actually happened on the day was just too much disheartening to absorb for a normal human being.Everything was just so atrocious but in all this evil scheme, a strong and clear message was sent out to these heartless souls that the whole nation is standing together with solidarity and valour.If somehow this reaches out to those extremists, I would like to question their integrity and humanity. Islam has nothing to do with all this state of mind. What did they gain out of all this? How could they even think of encountering little children? Did their heart not melt when firing mercilessly? Did their hands not tremble when blasting the innocent little souls? All these aspects drill questionable values to the cognisance of mind. Those who through this way claim themselves to be the ambassadors of Islam are actually the nastiest faces of the human race today. Through this inhuman act they depicted their sickness of mind. The Quran emphasises on so many occasions about the value of a human life. In Surah Al Maidah, it reflects that whoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he has saved the life of all mankind. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) set so many classic examples of peace and good affairs around. By feeding to their own evil, these terrorists proved that their repugnance was far superior than the religious values, moralities and above all, humanity.We all believe that somehow time is a great healer but ask those grieving families for whom time has been stopped since their dear ones left. I have no words to describe the amount of strength and courage that those fathers showed who had to lift the small coffins on their shoulders. With hearts full of pain, they buried all their dreams, aspirations and hopes along with their loved ones. No one will ever imagine the plight of those mothers who with tears in their eyes graciously embraced the fate and martyrdom of their children. I wonder that how many sleepless nights would have they gone through since their lives took this enormous degree of turn. I often ask myself that where does all this strength to cope comes from?No tribute is big enough to salute the audacity of the departed souls and we shall never ever forget them. Their sacrifices will always be remembered. My heart goes out to all the valiant survivors and the victims’ families. We shall never forget and we shall never forgive the oppressors.On the day of Judgement, Allah will hold each one of them accountable indeed. The souls of our brave martyrs will glow radiantly in heavens above telling these cold-hearted terrorists that now the account of reprisal is closed.As a vivid writer I believe in imagination and fantasies. With a heavy heart and tears rolling down my eyes, I wish this was just an extract of a story that could be erased and rewritten. But unfortunately, it is a chapter of fate which no one can review and change. This was and will continue to be the darkest day in the history of Pakistan. Shadows from the past will always reflect that it was the biggest battle of evils who were fully equipped with weapons and abhorrence vs small, stranded frail kids and unprepared school staff. It will be on record that the children proved to win it through giving their precious lives and telling the world that courage has nothing to do with age or maturity. It only demands giving in your best retort in the times of anguish.To our shining stars and our real heroes, we promise that you are and will be alive in everyone’s hearts for eternity. Rest in peace our glorious little victors!http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/cwEr/~4/RiOQ-pd6Lzg

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